Gas supported inertial sensor system and method
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsCharles D. Chappell, Karl H. Becker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inertial navigation system is provided. The system includes a sensor block, an outer shell that substantially surrounds the sensor block and a plurality of gas pads connected to the outer shell that float the sensor block in gas creating a near frictionless environment to allow the sensor block to rotate in all directions. Each of the plurality of gas pads is adapted to receive pressurized gas. The outer shell and the sensor block are separated by a gap created by the pressurized gas at each pad.
Claims22
An inertial navigation system, the system comprising:
- a sensor block;
- an outer shell having a first half shell and a second half shell;
- a mid plate;
- wherein the first half shell and the second half shell of the outer shell mate with the mid plate and substantially surround the sensor block;
- a plurality of gas pads connected to the outer shell that suspend the sensor block in gas creating a near frictionless environment to allow the sensor block to move to any angular position;
- a first gas plenum that substantially surrounds the first half shell;
- a second gas plenum that substantially surrounds the second half shell;
- and
- a plurality of gas jets for applying a torque to the sensor block;
- wherein the first gas plenum and the second gas plenum mate with the mid plate and substantially surrounds the outer shell;
- wherein each of the plurality of gas pads is adapted to receive pressurized gas;
- wherein the outer shell and the sensor block are separated by a gap created by the pressurized gas.
A method of eliminating the use of gimbals in an inertial navigation system, the method comprising:
- surrounding a sensor block with an outer shell having a plurality of gas pads;
- adjusting the gas pads inward to nearly touch the sensor block;
- pressurizing the gas pads so that a gas gap is formed between the sensor block and the gas pads;
- and
- calibrating the sensor block by applying a torque to the sensor block using a plurality of gas jets;
- wherein the sensor block is suspended in a near frictionless environment created by the pressurized gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.